England U21s rescued by Wellbeck late show

13/06/2011

A late goal by Danny Welbeck ensured England are still in with a shout with qualifying from the group stages of the U21 European Championship. The match saw Stuart Pearce's side largely outplayed by Spain, and with a highly-rated Czech side still to play, qualification is certainly no done deal.

While physically a lot smaller than the England side, Spain's technical superiority was at times all too apparent. But while being largely outplayed, England will feel they got no less than they deserved, after Spain's goal appeared to be punched home from close range by midfielder Ander Herrera.

In the build-up to the game, it was suggested that England would threaten at set-pieces, but it was a corner by Mata that led to the Spanish goal, Javi Martinez heading on for Herrara to apply the finishing touch at the back post.

England were solid defensively, with Pearce claiming: 'If we had the amount of possession they did, the score would have been 4-0 or 5-0 to us.'

A lapse of concentration in the Spanish defence then saw a surge by Walker down the right. He squared it to Welbeck, who swivelled before depositing the ball into the bottom corner from six yards out. Pearce remains convinced that his team has a lot to offer in the tournament. 'We need a touch of the Spanish arrogance to truly express the talent that we have,' he said. 'But we will get better as the tournament progress.'